Running Warrior: Former Yreka Miner Wichmann making his mark on college squad

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By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor

Posted Oct. 4, 2013 at 11:48 AM

By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor

Posted Oct. 4, 2013 at 11:48 AM

YREKA

Many college students return home from time-to-time to say “Hi,” perhaps bringing along a friend or two to grab a meal and catch up. Christian Wichmann, on the other hand, went a step further and brought an entire team of more than 20 people back home with him to Yreka. Wichmann, a class of 2012 Yreka High graduate and his teammates and coaches from the cross country team at William Jessup University stopped by for lunch at his family’s home in Yreka on Thursday. The squad was heading to a meet at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. “There’s nothing like going back home to Yreka,” said Christian, who was born and raised here. William Jessup is a Christian university located in Rocklin, Calif., in the Sacramento area. The Warriors compete in athletics in the NAIA. A member of the 2011 Miner boys cross country squad that won the Division 4 state title, Christian is a sophomore on both the Warriors cross country and track and field teams. He is now one of the top three men’s runners on the Warrior’s cross country squad. As team members enjoyed an impressive spread of Mexican food prepared by his mother Eleanor, Christian talked about his time with the Warriors. Last season, the men’s team won its conference title and went on to compete in nationals in Vancouver, Wash. “It was unbelievable being able to compete against people from all over the country,” Wichmann said. The squad has been hard at work to repeat as league champions and return to nationals this year, which will be held in Lawrence, Kansas, Christian said. Wichmann said that the squad is determined to place in the top 15 in nationals this year. “It would mean so much to us,” Christian said about the Warriors men’s team potentially placing in the top 15 at nationals. “We’re working toward that goal.” Wichmann said the cross country squad is a tight-knit group that embraces the team concept. “Everyone here is about working as a team,” he said Last year as a freshman, Wichmann said that he was more in the “middle of the pack” with the team and said he worked hard in the offseason to contribute even more this year. Head coach Parker Daniells commended Christian for his efforts over the summer to train for the season and strive to improve this year. But, most importantly, Daniells said, is who Christian is as a person and said he has been impressed with his dedication to all aspects of his life. Besides being a good runner, he is an excellent student and is dedicated to his religious education as well. “He’s a well rounded student athlete,” Daniells said. Christian currently plans to major in youth ministry and said he loves the idea of working with young people and being a positive influence on their lives. While originally a history major, Wichmann said he knows in his heart that becoming a youth minister is what he’s supposed to do. “It’s where (God) has taken me,” he said. “I know I want to work with kids and to be there for them and help them.” Christian said he is proud to be a Yreka Miner and to have been part of the cross country team. It was an experience he said he will never forget. Wichmann expressed gratitude to Yreka head coach Pam Borg for all she taught him about the sport. Being on the squad gave him the experience and exposure to get noticed by colleges and eventually going to school on both an athletic and academic scholarships, he said. Last week, he was able to catch up with this old team again at the Stanford Invitational when both schools competed at the event. Christian still has Miner pride as he proudly wore his Yreka High baseball cap of Thursday. ‘He added that he can be found at meets when he is not running wearing his Miner gear, cheering his Warrior teammates on.